Adjusting to a new school may be a daunting task for any student, especially one from another country learning a new language. But several first-year South Garland High School students are easily acclimating to their new campus, thanks to a special orientation. More than 30 families who now call the U.S. home received a warm welcome at South Garland’s Newcomer Orientation last month.
“This inaugural event was phenomenal,” said Assistant Principal Victoria Acevedo. “We had a great turnout, met students and their families, and got to see our current students take ownership of the event.”
The jam-packed affair featured helpful information, door prizes, dinner, a campus tour and keynote speaker, Univision radio and television host Danny Luna. Following Principal Tracy Curtis’ kickoff address, participants attended four 15-minute sessions, which were parent and student-specific. Parents learned everything from attendance guidelines to graduation requirements, while students discovered clubs, organizations and campus life.
“All sessions were in Spanish, and current Colonels led the student-focused ones,” Acevedo explained. “I realized there was not only a need to make our newcomers feel welcomed, but to also assist them in understanding school, policies and procedures. We also wanted to introduce them to what our campus offers in hopes of planting a seed of interest that could lead to a desire for academic excellence and a future career.”
Setting youths up for a success in their new home was Acevedo’s goal from the start.
“My husband was a newcomer. He told me it would have been helpful to have a good group of friends who could help him understand school and the U.S. culture,” she stated. “Many of these students have gone through unimaginable struggles. School and making friends should not be one more.”
After the three-hour event, the Colonel community’s newest members were excited to be engaged throughout 2015-16.
“Parents were very grateful at the end of the night and stayed to ask questions, as well as volunteer for future events,” Acevedo said. “We had a lot of positive feedback from district personnel, students, parents and staff. I hope this year’s parents are part of next year’s event.”
Information provided by Garland ISD
Photos courtesy of Victoria Acevedo